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Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Women performing at-home liposuction on themselves with shady $95 kits to shed weight

Ruth didn’t want to pay a plastic surgeon to give her the body of her dreams. She wanted to do it herself.

Rather than forking over nearly $100,000 on traditional liposuction, under the supervision of a medical expert, the 55-year-old instead purchased a $95 kit of Korean fat-dissolving fluids online, pumped the potion into a syringe and shot it into her lower belly, thighs and double chin.

She’d already lost 45 pounds with GLP-1 meds that she was self-administering at home. So why not, she thought, dissolve those additional “pockets of fat” that she still couldn’t erase herself — no matter the safety risks.

Ruth, a married mom of two, who chose to withhold her last name for privacy, is just one of a rising number of women choosing to bypass the safety of an operating room to, instead, perform a makeshift, shady version of liposuction on themselves, at home, as trailblazers of the “DIY Lipo” trend.

But, unlike Kybella, a popular FDA-approved, yet disputable jab administered by medical professionals to permanently destroy fat cells in targeted areas, which can cost roughly $500 to $1,500 per treatment in NYC, these black-market DIY dupes are unregulated and pose significant safety risks, such as permanent scarring, serious infections, skin deformities, cysts and painful knots.

As precarious self-administered GLP-1s have opened the door to even more dangerous at-home cosmetic procedures such as this one, despite the shocking risks, hundreds of women, like Ruth, are doing whatever it takes to get snatched without breaking the bank — and are encouraging others online to follow suit.

“I will never stop using this product. I love it. I want it on subscription,” Ruth told The Post of her cherished Dr. Lipo + V supply, which ultimately targets fat deposits in the face and neck area over the course of several sessions.

What the Massachusetts resident is referring to is a 10-pack of 5-milliliter vials filled with lipolytic, a combo of phosphatidylcholine (PPC), which reduces localized fat beneath the skin and sodium deoxycholate (DC) to physically dissolve the fat cell membranes.

Together, when properly injected into fatty tissue, the ingredients can effectively reduce fat volume and thickness by inducing adipocyte necrosis, or the death of fat tissue, per data.

Ruth first discovered the product online, where videos promoting similar fat-dissolving substances, such as Aqualyx, Lipodissolve, Lipo Lab, Kabelline and more, have garnered nearly 500,000 social media views.

After turning to Wegovy, a self-injection semaglutide, to drop the 50 pounds she’d gained during perimenopause, a phase during which women over 40 often pack on weight at a rapid rate, Ruth spent much of 2025 researching DIY lipo solutions until finding one she hoped would work wonders.

Upon receiving her shipment from Asia last fall, Ruth, per the package’s instructions, used a marker to draw a grid of 1-centimeter boxes under her chin, similar to how a surgeon would before operating on a patient.

The brunette then deposited the concoction into a separately purchased syringe and injected one shot into each box. She repeated that process once every two to three weeks for the next two months.

60 days later, her stubborn adipose pudge has totally disappeared.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she gushed.

“I was so impressed with the results of my chin that I did DIY lipo on my stomach, under my C-section incision, my thighs and those annoying little fat rolls women under my arms by my bra,” laughed Ruth, a former medical assistant in a level-1 trauma center emergency room.

“I have so much confidence. I can take selfies and feel good about myself. I can wear sundresses and maybe even a bikini for the first time in 15 years this summer,” the 55-year-old raved.

Owing to her experience in healthcare, the New Englander told The Post she’s comfortable self-inoculating, noting that the only adverse side effect she experienced was a bit of temporary swelling and tenderness.

“I’m so proud I did this on my own at a fraction of the cost of liposuction,” she raved.

But, according to the experts, she’s one of the lucky ones.

“I do not recommend people trying this at home,” Carter Boyd, a cosmetic plastic surgeon with NYU Langone Health, advised. “It is a procedure, you’re injecting chemical substances into your body, and there are risks associated with it.”

The authority warns that shopping for unverified, DIY meds on Facebook and TikTok marketplaces, or the dark web, could render deadly outcomes.

He adds that administering unprescribed shots can lead to nerve damage, bleeding, inflammation, ulcerations, necrosis and other severe complications, which trained physicians are often better equipped to address in emergencies.

“Patients can damage their internal organs if they [self-inject] too deep, hitting a muscle, blood vessel or obstructing an airway in their necks,” Boyd told The Post.

Brunilda Nazario, the Chief Physician Editor of Medical Affairs for WebMD, agrees.

The board-certified internist and obesity specialist said shooting up a GLP-1, such as Wegovy or Ozempic, is less hazardous than self-injecting unregulated fat dissolvers, and notes the vast differences between their functions.

“The GLP-1 class of medications helps manage hunger by balancing hormones that affect our appetite and sense of fullness. They work in the gut, brain, and other parts of the body to support healthier outcomes for those dealing with extra weight,” explained Nazario.

“You lose fat cells in and around the body and its organs; it doesn’t target just the skin like the fat dissolver injections,” the expert added.

“On the flip side,” she continued, “the goal of fat-dissolving products is to help you achieve a smoother, more contoured look. They do not work on weight loss or improvement in health.“

Consequences and concerns aside, DIY lipo influencers, such as Ana, have attained viral acclaim by lauding fat-dissolving injectables for obliterating her excess blubber.

@yourbestie.ana
Yes. I still do DIY LIP0 #bakery #donuts #diy #glowingskin #glowup
♬ original sound – yourbestie.ana

“I used to weigh 260 pounds and wear a size 16 [in jeans],” said the siren while showing off her now slight, sleek physique to over 462,000 virtual fans.

“I’m currently wearing a size 4,” Ana added, flaunting her taut tummy. “I can [attribute it] to DIY lipo.“

The content creator emphasized that she recently lost more than 100 pounds with the help of peptides and GLP-1 drugs, but has used products from unregulated brands with buzzy names such as Dr. Lipo, Power Delete, Pine Bottle and Lipo Lab, to contour her abdomen.

Beki, a mom and nurse digitally documenting her “glow up” journey, too, praises goodies from Lipo Lab and Pine bottle for sculpting her distended midsection.

“It works y’all. Get it. Do it. You will not regret it,” she captioned before and after photos of her transformation. “Six sessions is where the magic happens. I’m halfway there with no intention to stop!”

“I used to hate the way I looked. I even stopped taking pictures with my family because I was so unhappy with myself,” she groaned. “Now, I feel great.”

https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/lifestyle/dangerous-diy-lipo-trend-helps-budgeted-bombshells-zap-fat/

NYC cases of ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite soar to 273, 3x previously reported for whole state

New York City has had 273 confirmed cases of the notorious “explosive diarrhea” parasite since May 1, The Post has exclusively learned.

According to an NYC Health Department spokesperson, the city has seen an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis compared to previous years, with 301 people sickened so far for the entirety of 2026.

The number includes people who both have and have not recently traveled internationally.

The department is still investigating where and how the infected people may have been exposed, working in conjunction with the CDC, the FDA and other health departments, the spokesperson added.

The state of New York has also recorded an additional 125 cases since May 1, according to a state health department spokesperson. Just three weeks ago, the CDC reported fewer than 80 cases statewide over that same period.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by infection with the cyclospora parasite. Symptoms include severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and watery, explosive diarrhea. While some who are infected never exhibit symptoms, others need to be hospitalized.

This infection is usually contracted during travel outside the United States, as a result of consuming food or water that’s been contaminated with feces. It is more common in tropical areas.

What’s been troubling about the recent outbreaks is that many of the infected people reported that they hadn’t traveled outside of the country, meaning they likely got sick from contaminated food here in the US.

What’s more, health officials have not yet been able to identify any particular source or sources of the parasite in US food — as opposed to infections in 2019 that were tied to cilantro imported from Mexico, or a 2018 outbreak linked to tainted McDonald’s salads.

Determining whether a patient indeed has cyclosporiasis can be difficult. It requires special lab tests looking specifically for cyclospora — which are not part of a standard stool test. It’s another reason it’s possible many cases are going undiagnosed.

All cases in New York City were confirmed with this specialized test.

Cases may rise higher still, with the end of summer still far away.

“While cases are reported year-round, there is some seasonality to cyclosporiasis with case counts often rising during the spring and summer months,” a spokesperson from the state’s Department of Health explained.

This week, Michigan reported a jaw-dropping 681 cases, making it by far the hardest-hit state. Texas is reporting 48 cases, and the parasite has shown up in 15 other states around the country as of mid-June.

In the last two years, there have been 500 to 700 cases in New York state. A state spokesperson said the current numbers are “on par” for this time of year.

In the past, cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been linked to raw produce that came into contact with fecal contamination. Officials are urging folks to carefully wash, and cook, whenever possible, foods like salad mix, cilantro and raspberries.

Officials believe the current cases are caused by contaminated food as well. Because the parasite takes one to two weeks outside the body to become infectious after passing into feces, it’s very unlikely to be passing from person to person.

“There is currently no evidence of a single, multistate cyclospora outbreak linking all cases,” the NY state official said. “Investigations to identify potential clusters and potential sources of illness are ongoing.”

While a cyclosporiasis infection can go away on its own, symptoms can last for a month or longer if not treated, increasing the risk of dehydration, especially in older adults, kids and people who are immunocompromised.

One woman spoke to The Post from the hospital about her experience battling the parasite.

“This is worse than like any flu I’ve ever gotten or anything, it’s just so…it’s miserable. I’m worn out from it. I really am,” Cristy Cooper, 51, said. She said she had “unbearable” diarrhea, and developed excessive gas, fatigue, acute vomiting, nausea and painful cramping. She even had a fever of 100.2 degrees.

Treatment is a course of antibiotics, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known under the brand names Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim.

https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/health/nyc-cases-of-explosive-diarrhea-parasite-soar-to-273/

Mamdani’s AC warning revealed NY power grid in big trouble — a problem he helped cause

As temperatures hit 100 degrees last week, New York City’s unconventional mayor did something pretty conventional: He urged people to use less electricity.

But when Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees (a past practice of both Democrats and Republicans alike), he revealed something far more harmful than the heat index: how much Albany’s policies have driven New York City’s power grid to the point of collapse.

Several factors are at play every summer.

About 90% of homes today have air conditioning; as recently as the 1980s, most didn’t.

Portions of the electric system are extremely old by national standards, and the sheer physics of generating and distributing the appropriate voltage and amperage to every corner of such a dense and diverse cityscape borders on the miraculous.

Tighter ozone-emission rules began taking effect in 2023, forcing about a dozen of the city’s smaller power plants to close — making it even tougher to get juice to every corner.

Recall that the city nearly had rolling blackouts a year ago, as temperatures spiked and older plants broke down in the heat.

That’s why, as far back as the 1990s, mayors have made public appeals on the hottest summer days asking New Yorkers to set thermostats to 78 degrees.

Rudy Giuliani, hardly an “ecosocialist,” did it.

So did Mike Bloomberg, and Bill de Blasio, and Eric Adams.

To be sure, 78 isn’t an especially comfortable temperature in a withering heat wave, and the actual benefit for the grid is tiny.

And, as The Post reported, Mamdani’s City Hall didn’t exactly lead by example.

Fifteen out of 20 spots in municipal office buildings were found to be maintaining much cooler, and much more bearable, temperatures.

Critics were right to mock Mamdani’s hypocrisy.

But what they missed is that his call inadvertently revealed a problem he himself helped cause: the frightening weakness of NYC’s electric grid — a weakness that makes a 78-degree floor an urgent demand.

The state’s energy policy went off the rails last decade, when Albany set unreachable climate goals, then forced electric utilities to implement them.

Mamdani has fiercely defended that 2019 climate law at every turn, even as the negative consequences have piled up.

When Mamdani entered the Assembly in early 2021, Con Edison and others were tearing up a century-old playbook that had successfully balanced reliability and cost.

Suddenly the utility companies had to pull double-duty as climate crusaders — and as Albany’s bagmen to pay for their multi-trillion-dollar boondoggle.

That distracted utilities from their near-term maintenance obligations on the geriatric grid, as they spent ratepayer cash and untold attention on an abstract push toward economy-wide electrification.

Lawmakers looked the other way as delivery rates surged.

Assemblyman Mamdani was among the most extreme voices pressing energy policy even further in the wrong direction, particularly when it came to the actual generation of electricity.

He fiercely opposed allowing private companies to upgrade their power plants — something that could have reduced greenhouse emissions and trimmed electricity costs, if Albany hadn’t blocked the way.

Instead, the air in New York City is dirtier, electricity prices are higher and the grid is more fragile because of green policies Mamdani himself championed.

But those bad choices can get lost in the haze of online clout-chasing today.

Rather than dunking on him, Mamdani’s critics should be talking about how to put New York’s energy focus back on cost and reliability.

That means building new power plants posthaste, and peeling back the various climate policies that helped make electric bills jump by almost 50% in the city (and almost double in parts of Upstate) since 2019.

It’s less sexy than bashing the mayor over thermostat hypocrisy, but it speaks more directly to one of New York’s biggest self-inflicted challenges.

Mamdani prevailed in last year’s mayoral election because he was never made to explain how much his agenda would actually cost, or how he’d pay for it.

The mayor didn’t triumph in the market of ideas, nor did socialism itself.

Instead, his rivals failed to demonstrate that Mamdani’s policy prescriptions are demonstrably wrong.

That problem persists.

The green-energy policies that Mamdani and his allies support continue to threaten New York’s ability to keep everyone comfortable in the heat.

So we can’t afford to miss any chance to engage him in a substantive argument over his tax, spending and regulatory policies that will permanently change New York City for the worse.

Ken Girardin is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/opinion/mamdanis-ac-warning-accidentally-revealed-a-problem-he-helped-cause/

CMS mulls tougher Medicare enrollment rules to combat fraud as part of 2027 home health pay rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released on Wednesday afternoon its 2027 proposed payment rule for home health agencies.

The rule includes an aggregate payment increase of $420 million, or 2.4%, based on a proposed 2.1% payment update and an estimated 0.3% increase related to the fixed dollar loss ratio. That 2.1% payment update represents $370 million, according to a CMS fact sheet.

The proposal also includes updates to payment methodologies, case-mix weights, outlier payments and quality reporting requirements, while seeking feedback on expanding access to home-based palliative care.

Beyond payment policy, CMS is proposing a series of anti-fraud measures that would make all Medicare enrollment revocations retroactive and broaden the agency’s authority to deny or revoke enrollment for providers and suppliers linked to compliance violations.

The proposed rule pitches strict new measures to combat Medicare fraud and improper payments, a key priority of CMS under the Trump administration. During Trump's second term, CMS is aggressively tackling fraud, waste, and abuse in the home health and hospice sectors.

In May, the Trump administration issued a six-month moratorium on hospice and home health agencies enrolling in Medicare as part of its efforts to combat fraud. CMS said the "data-driven" decision targets a key source of fraud activity. It followed a similar announcement made earlier this year of a moratorium on durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies companies.

The Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule (PDF) includes changes aimed at strengthening CMS’ ability to recover improper payments and remove noncompliant providers and suppliers from Medicare, according to a CMS press release.

The agency estimates that these actions will save approximately $82 million annually, while also expanding access for patients receiving care at home and improving the timeliness of publicly reported home health agency quality information.

Although included in the CY 2027 Home Health PPS proposed rule, the provider enrollment provisions would affect any providers and suppliers participating in the Medicare program, CMS noted.

“These proposals would give CMS stronger tools to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse,” CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, M.D., said in a statement. “The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring only qualified providers and suppliers participate in Medicare while preserving access to high-quality care for patients across the country.”

Currently, CMS can claw back payments retroactive to the date of noncompliance for certain Medicare provider enrollment revocation grounds.

The proposed rule would make this possible for all Medicare provider enrollment revocations, regardless of the revocation reason. This would allow CMS to recoup additional taxpayer funds and help ensure that noncompliant providers and suppliers are not receiving Medicare payments.

In addition, CMS also wants to add several new grounds for revocation or denial of enrollment and broaden existing authorities. Under the proposed changes, CMS could revoke a provider’s or supplier’s Medicare enrollment if the enrollment presents a high risk of fraud, waste, and abuse because the provider or supplier is located within a limited geographic area that has an excessive number of providers and suppliers, according to the proposed rule.

CMS could deny or revoke a provider’s or supplier’s Medicare enrollment if they have been convicted of a misdemeanor related to sexual assault or financial misconduct within the past 10 years.

Hospices, home health agencies and suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies must re-enroll in Medicare as a new provider and undergo a survey and accreditation if there are changes in majority ownership. In the draft rule, CMS is proposing to deny or revoke enrollment if this requirement is violated.

In the proposed rule, CMS also is seeking to promote access to and use of community-based palliative care services. The agency is seeking comments on how to best promote access to community-based palliative care services through existing Medicare benefits, including the Medicare home health benefit. CMS said it will provide examples of palliative care through sub-regulatory guidance.

To improve transparency for patients and families, CMS also is proposing to shorten the Outcome and Assessment Information Set data submission deadline from 4.5 months to 45 days, giving people with Medicare more timely information to make informed care decisions. CMS estimates the proposal could make publicly reported quality information available up to three months sooner.

The proposed rule also includes updates related to durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies, the home health quality reporting program, hospices and the Medicare provider enrollment process.

The agency is proposing several updates to align the HH quality reporting program more closely with the expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model.

For durable medical equipment, CMS proposes expanding Medicare DME coverage beginning April 1, 2027, to include certain external infusion pumps and associated home infusion drugs that may not otherwise meet the standard “appropriate for home use” requirement.

https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-mulls-tougher-medicare-enrollment-rules-combat-fraud-part-2027-home-health-payment

Israel braces for renewed Iran fighting as Netanyahu cancels ceremony

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz canceled their participation in a military ceremony Wednesday evening and were set to hold a security discussion as Israel monitored renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran, Ynet reported Wednesday.

The move came after strikes in the Persian Gulf and sharper rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who said he viewed the ceasefire with Iran as effectively over and warned of possible new strikes on Iran.

Israeli officials said they did not expect a full-scale war for now, arguing that economic pressure remained the main lever against Tehran. The meeting had been scheduled to focus on Israel’s memorandum of understanding with the United States but was also expected to address Iran.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202607049017

Eight Iranian army members killed in US attacks on southern Iran

Eight members of Iran’s army were killed in US attacks on southern Iran early Wednesday, including in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, state media reported, citing the a statement by the army’s public relations department.

The servicemen were members of Iranian army's air force and navy and were killed after being hit by “enemy projectiles,” the statement said, adding that the army would “avenge" their blood.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202607049017

Saudi Efforts to Revive Gulf Oil Loadings Run Into Buyer Caution

Saudi Arabia’s attempts to revive oil flows from its reopened Ras Tanura terminal on the Persian Gulf are running into caution from customers, who are reluctant to load there because of renewed threats to shipping, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ras Tanura, which handled about 90% of Saudi crude exports before the Iran war, restarted recently after a months-long closure, and this week Saudi Aramco was asking customers to submit requests for loadings from the port, according to the people.

But buyers who had already been wary of sending in ships into the Persian Gulf to lift cargoes have become even more concerned after vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.

Tensions in the region ratcheted up after President Donald Trump said the US would likely follow up with further strikes on Iran, raising the prospect of a return to all-out war. A return of hostilities would be a nightmare scenario for the Gulf nations that had only just started to return some of their damaged energy industries and oil shipments back toward prewar levels.

Aramco has asked customers to submit requests for how much they want to load in August from Ras Tanura, but has been told by some buyers that they’re not ready to load there, the people said. The company had also been giving customers that option through the conflict even when the Strait of Hormuz was all but closed.

Clients have been picking up oil cargoes from the Red Sea port of Yanbu on the other side of Saudi Arabia since the early days of the war. Aramco is still offering that option, but wanted to prioritize Ras Tanura loadings, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.

Aramco declined to comment.

Ships Attacked

Three vessels came under attack on Tuesday — the largest number of incidents since the interim US-Iran peace deal last month. While a handful of oil tankers have passed through Hormuz since, owners will likely be cautious about the fallout. The escalating tensions pushed Brent crude futures as much as 8.7% higher to above $80 a barrel.

It’s not just the risk to safety that’s giving buyers pause. The limited availability of tankers to load in the Persian Gulf and the high cost of freight are also a problem, the people said.

Despite buyers’ concerns, Saudi Arabia has had some success in reviving oil exports since the US-Iran peace deal using its tankers. At the end of June, the kingdom’s crude oil shipments had surged to around 90% of prewar levels through a combination of shipments from Yanbu and its Persian Gulf facilities, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Exports were about 6.3 million barrels a day in the six days through July 1.

For August loading, Aramco is offering cargoes to buyers in Asia at a discount to the regional benchmark for the first time since 2020.

The port of Ras Tanura is made up of three terminals: the Ju’aymah crude loading points, the Ju’aymah liquefied petroleum gas terminal and the Ras Tanura oil terminal. Between them, the crude oil facilities have the capacity to handle 12 tankers at a time.

https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/saudi-efforts-to-revive-gulf-oil-loadings-run-into-buyer-caution

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Wednesday, July 8, 2026